HARRY Maguire’s lawyer claimed the footballer “loves Ancient Greek culture” and would never say “f*** Greece”, in a bizarre defence yesterday.
The Manchester United captain was later found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and bribery attempts after a brawl in Mykonos, allegedly sparked when his sister was stabbed.
Harry Maguire was found guilty of assault
Joe Maguire, centre with Harry right and brother Laurence left, has also been charged
Harry’s dad Alan is in court in Syros Credit: Nick Obank – The Sun
He was spared a prison sentence, and was instead handed a sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison, suspended for three years.
The others involved in the brawl were sentenced to 13 months in prison suspended.
He has vowed to appeal his conviction, and said in a statement: “Following the hearing, I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing.
“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter – if anything myself, family and friends are the victims.”
Maguire’s top human rights lawyer Alexis Anagnostakis told the trial in Syros the bribery charge testimonies are vague.
He said: “They didn’t specify what he wanted to pay.”
The lawyer added: “They would never say ‘f**k Greece’, they love the country and are keen on the ancient Greek culture.”
Earlier we told how the court heard Maguire was kicked by a cop who told him “your career is over”.
The Manchester United captain was arrested along with his brother Joe and pal Chris Sharman on Thursday morning after a fight erupted in the street.
His lawyer said Maguire’s younger sister Daisy was stabbed in the arm – causing her to pass out.
Chris Sharman, left, with Joe, right and Laurence Maguire, centre, went on trial Credit: Instagram
Harry Maguire reportedly brawled with Brits after his sister Daisy was ‘stabbed’Credit: Instagram / HarryMaguire
Maguire and his group asked to be taken to hospital after the incident, but were driven to a police station instead, where officers allegedly kicked Maguire on the leg and told him: “Your career is over”.
He added: “My clients did not beat anyone, accost anyone, or injure anyone.”
The court heard how once at the police station, Maguire said: “Do you know who I am? I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go.”
One of his group also allegedly yelled “f**k, f**k the police” before punching an officer.
None of the defendants were required to attend court and were instead represented by their legal team.
Only Maguire’s Dad Alan was present in the court on the Greek island of Syros to watch proceedings.
Utd captain Maguire, 27, footballer brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman have been found guilty of assault and violence against an officer.
But the group will able to appeal the decision in a higher court after being found guilty.
Daisy Maguire has returned to Britain Credit: Splash News
She was reportedly stabbed in the arm Credit: Splash News
They had been partying in a swanky nightclub in Mykonos when sister Daisy was approached by a group of Albanian men.
But she was allegedly stabbed in the arm with a metal straw when she spurned the advances of the “gangster types”.
The jab drew blood and caused her to faint – with big brother Harry stepping in to defend her when a fight broke out.
A source said: “Harry saw what was happening and remonstrated with them and things got heated.
“He decided to try to get out of there and wanted to hail a taxi. But he ended up arguing with some undercover police officers and ended up at the local police station.”
When plain-clothed police came to break it up, the Utd captain was allegedly “verbally abusive to an officer and then hit him”.
The £85million centre-back was arrested with Joe and Chris after a fight outside a bar on the Greek island in the early hours of Friday morning.
Daisy had posted a video of the star hours before the drama at Bonbonniere bar
It was uploaded 18 hours ago before the bust-up
He spent two nights in a cell with Joe and Chris before appearing before a court on Saturday in Syros.
Maguire is now understood to have travelled back to the UK.
His sister Daisy was yesterday pictured arriving back in England wheeling a suitcase.
Brother Laurence Maguire was also pictured at the home in England as his brothers Harry and Joe await their fate in a Greek court.
Sheffield-born Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender when he signed for Utd from Leicester City for £85million in August last year.
He was named captain in January this year following Ashley Young’s departure to Inter Milan.
He is next due to play at Old Trafford for their first game of the season on September 19 against Crystal Palace.
Maguire has made 26 appearances for England and was a key part of the team’s journey to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.
Maguire joined Utd for a staggering £85million
Harry Maguire brawled with man who stabbed sister in arm with metal straw when she rejected him
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
